When Nanette Gregory started in the plastics industry in 1991, she worked as a recruiter for Hudson, Ohio-based International Recruiting Consultants, placing engineers and chemists in plastics and rubber companies.
Because of her background in plastics, she joined J4 Communications in Medina, Ohio, in 1999 to assist with its clients' public relations programs. Gregory moved to Florida in 2004 while still running the public relations programs at J4. She also opened her own marketing company, and her son, Chase, joined full time nine years ago.
Orlando, Fla.-based marketing firm NSG Consulting Inc. utilizes public relations, search engine optimization, social media, photography and video, website building and more to help companies grow. It has three full-time and five part-time employees.
"Even though I have two brothers with chemical engineering degrees, I never thought I would ever end up in the plastics industry," Nanette Gregory said in her Women Breaking the Mold survey. "But once I started to talk to engineers and chemists about their jobs and achievements at International Recruiting Consultants, I realized how exciting the industry is and just how plastics impact our daily life."
Gregory graduated from the Ohio State University with a bachelor's degree in social work.
"Today my favorite part of my job is still talking to the engineers and chemists about new plastic technology," she added.
Gregory said she counts helping to educate the industry about new technology for plastics processors as a greatest accomplishment.
"I was incredibly proud when my son, Chase, gave a presentation at the Plastics News Executive Conference on maintaining a good digital/online reputation in the plastics industry. Our firm has seen global coverage for our clients including cover stories and industry interviews over the last 15 years," she said.
She has also hosted panels at the Plastics News Executive Forum — one focused on digital transformation and the other on additive manufacturing.
Nanette Gregory was nominated by Chase Gregory, senior partner of NSG Consulting.
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Q: What is your current challenge at work?
Gregory: Between the maturing of the digital age in marketing and COVID, we are just like many other companies that are trying to figure out what is next. I don't think the world will be the same. Today, I am working on figuring better ways to interact with customers without being directly in front of them. I know we have to go way beyond having Zoom calls and webinars.
Q: What about the plastics industry surprises you?
Gregory: The people. The majority of people in the plastics industry I have met over the years are kind, hardworking and willing to share their knowledge. I haven't run into many other sectors like this, and I sure hope it remains that way because it makes my day more enjoyable.
Q: What is the best advice you have ever received?
Gregory: Baby steps. There are many times I have gotten overwhelmed with everything I need to accomplish in a day that I end up not getting anything done. But if I stop and figure out just one baby step I can take and I do it, then I move on to take another baby step — then something weird happens — I look at my list and everything for the day has been crossed off as complete.
Q: What advice would you give to a person considering a career in the plastics industry?
Gregory: I know our younger generation is concerned about the environmental impact of plastics. If you are truly interested and want to see a change in the world you should get involved with plastics companies working on new products and resins that will reduce the waste going into landfills.
Q: What is your personal "mold" that you are breaking?
Gregory: Owning my own company. I knew from the age of 30 that I wanted to be an owner of a company. It took longer than I thought it would take to get here, but I am finally my own boss. It is also a lot harder than I thought it would be. As I continue to run a business and watch others run theirs, I am beginning to think we can create an even better company. I am really looking forward to the next five years when we try out some of my new business ideas.